How does that statistic prove ‘light at the end of the tunnel’?

Because it's Miracle Armor (TM)! It proves *anything* by providing a sheen of protection by misdirection! The facts don't get in the way with Miracle Armor (TM)! Even the original question we were discussing has completely vanished - without a trace - thanks to Miiiiiiiiiiiiracle Armor (TM)!

And if you order now, you'll get hundreds of jullian fries...

Apples and Oranges
 

I'm trying to find a more definitive source, but here is one chart of troop levels in Vietnam.

In 1965, the first year of escalation, there were 184,000 US troops in Vietnam. In 1968, at the peak, there were 536,000 US troops in Vietnam. From 65-71, on average, there were 3 times as many troops in Vietnam as in Iraq over a 7 year period instead of a 5 year period. Combined with a survival rate double that of Vietnam thanks to improvements in medical tech, armor, and the fact that the insurgency does not have an air force, armor, or any major weapons other than mortars and IED's/mines, and that 4000 looks pretty bad. Especially considering that many of the losses were during an 'occupation' and not technically combat operations.

If we had actually deployed 536,000 troops to Iraq, or better yet, left Iraq alone and deployed them to Afghanistan, there would have either been significantly more killed or significantly less since we might have actually achieved our purpose.

Penny wise, pound foolish.

Especially considering that many of the losses were during an 'occupation' and not technically combat operations.

I win this goddamn thread.

By the way, how do I get a set of thatMiracle Armor (TM)? Sounds great!

Same place you get all those kinds of things:

Buy a box of Cracker Jacks.